Nonesterified Fatty Acids and Depression in Cancer Patients and Caregivers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) are known to have inflammatory effects. The inflammatory hypothesis of depression suggests that omega-3 (ω-3) and omega-6 (ω-6) fatty acids might be negatively and positively correlated with depression, respectively.

Objective

An exploratory study was conducted to determine the association between dietary free fatty acids and depressive symptoms in cancer patients and caregivers.

Methods

Associations between depression and the NEFA pool were investigated in 56 cancer patients and 23 caregivers using a combination of nonparametric tests and regularized regression. Plasma NEFAs were measured using thin layer and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Depression was characterized both as a continuous severity scor

SUBMITTER: McCusker MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7792569 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature